Title

Users must enter a password to access private keys. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Configuring this setting so that users must provide a password (distinct from their domain password) every time they use a key makes it more difficult for an attacker to access locally stored user keys, even if the attacker takes control of the user's computer and determines their logon password.

Check Content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for “System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored in the computer” is not set to “User must enter a password each time they use a key”, this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography\ Value Name: ForceKeyProtection Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 2

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “System cryptography: Force strong key protection for user keys stored in the computer” to “User must enter a password each time they use a key”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-4444r3_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-4444

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.